After a fire or other emergency incident

It is often difficult to recover from a traumatic event such as a fire or natural disaster. We prepared this guide to help you to get your life back to normal as quickly as possible.

Prevent additional losses

Your first responsibility after the emergency response team releases your home back to you is to protect your home from additional losses. Remove all valuables if you cannot live in your home. Secure doors, windows, and other areas against unauthorized entry.

Record the name of the Firefighter or Fire Investigator, if one accompanies you to review your home.

Your insurance policy may require that you take steps to prevent further damage to your home and its surrounding property. Talk to your insurance agent before attempting any cleaning or repairs.

Contact your insurance provider

If you own your home, contact your insurance company or agent. The insurance agent will know which parts of the damage are insured. In some cases the insurance agent may be able to provide names of reputable contractors to provide restoration services, even to parts of the home that are not insured.

If you rent your home, notify the home owner. If you do not hold a property rental insurance policy, your possessions may not be covered.

Locate your important documents

Identification

Property and financial records

Birth Certificate

Driver's License

Senior's ID Card

Family Services ID Card

Passports

Social Insurance Cards

Income Tax Records

Medical Health Cards

Medical Records

Citizenship Papers

Marriage Papers

Divorce Decree

Death Certificates

Burial Contracts

Title to Deeds

Insurance Policy

Automobile Title and Registration

Credit Cards

Bank Books

Payment Books

Stocks and Bonds

Wills

Warranties

Papers for Animals

Get more help

If you have no insurance or are unable to reach friends or family for help, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services brings in the City's Disaster Assistance Team (DAT) to look after you.

DAT volunteers are always on call, and will help you at the fire scene to provide you lodging, meals, clothing, and other basic needs for up to 72 hours after a fire. Emergency Management BC will cover approved costs for this period provided that you have no insurance.

If your residence is damaged to the point where you cannot return home, you may be able to obtain assistance from the Provincial Emergency Program in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Development, Canadian Red Cross, and the Salvation Army.

The Canadian Red Cross and Salvation Army are volunteer organizations that assist the Ministry of Social Development to provide food, clothing, shelter and transportation to the less fortunate victims of fire.